Vermont winemakers are hosting a statewide Wine and Chocolate Weekend on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate Valentineís Day.

Fourteen wineries around Vermont have paired at least one of their wines with a local chocolate confection or other Vermont dessert product. The participating wineries will be open from noon to 5 p.m. during the Wine and Chocolate Weekend. Wine and chocolate tastings are free.

The full range of Vermont wines will be on display during the Wine and Chocolate Weekend, including honey mead, ice cider and grape wines made from varieties like Marquette, La Crescent and Louise.

Some of the sweets are homemade, and some were made by chocolate makers specifically for the wine pairing. Spicy chocolate popcorn will be featured with one of Huntington River Vineyardís red wines. This year, visitors will find many different approaches to pairing wine with treats, from sweet to spicy.

Champlain Orchards in Shoreham is serving its own apple pie with its ice cider, an apple-upon-apple dessert special.

The Vermont Grape and Wine Council is a consortium of more than 25 wineries, vineyards and farms in Vermont.